One of the most popular fall festivals in the area, the Grabill Country Fair, returns for its 50th year, Sept. 7-9 northeast of Fort Wayne.

The annual event will bring more than 100,000 visitors to the small town to highlight the area’s Amish heritage. 

Over the years, the Grabill Country Fair has become one of the largest craft fairs in the region, expanding to encompass several streets lined with tents and canopies sheltering booths that offer wood products, needlepoint, glass-blown items, crocheting, knitting, food, and ceramics. 

Crafts of a bygone era are demonstrated throughout the three days, such as the use of the spinning wheel or making cornhusk dolls, Contests also run nonstop, including a children’s spelling bee, frog jumping, a baby crawl, jump rope, apple peeling, watermelon eating, and cherry pit spitting. 

Gospel music is performed on Saturday evening and country and bluegrass are played at other times. 

Of course, food will be aplenty with apple dumplings and corn on the cob highlighting the many choices available.